Blake Snell injury update: Dodgers pitching ace to return after long layoff

Starting pitcher Blake Snell is expected to make his return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.

The left-handed pitcher is expected to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to manager Dave Roberts.

The two-time Cy Young winner made his way back from an elbow injury and recently participated in a minor league rehab assignment for the organization’s Triple-A affiliate. He pitched 3⅔ innings in the Aug. 4 game, striking out three in 73 pitches (41 strikes). But Snell also allowed five hits, two home runs and four walks during the outing.
2026 season stats

Snell has pitched just three innings against the Atlanta Braves on May 9 and was credited with the loss in his only start this season. He struck out five runners but allowed six hits, five runs (four earned runs) and two walks this season.

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Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.

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Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA’s Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.

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Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.

The 33-year-old pitcher is in his 11th season in the majors. He began his big-league career with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and played there for five seasons, winning the 2018 AL Cy Young Award.

He was traded to the San Diego Padres following the 2020 season, adding an NL Cy Young Award in 2023 in his final season with the team.

Snell then signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2024 season before the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him as a free agent on Nov. 30, 2024.

During his career, Snell has started 223 games and posted a win-loss record of 81-63 with a 3.17 ERA and 1,445 strikeouts. He holds the MLB career record with 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.